Melanie Pinola

A metal coffee can makes an attractive Wi-Fi antenna or signal booster with an impressively long range. You can make one yourself in an afternoon with just a few hardware parts.

John Graham-Cumming posts the instructions for creating this coffee cantenna using a piece of coat hanger, a Wi-Fi antenna extension cable, and a Type N socket and plug. You'll need an empty coffee can, too, and some soldering skills.

Although we've seen Wi-Fi antennas made with cans and cut beer cans before, this one looks a bit better than two cans soldered together. Plus, you can store the cable and adapter inside the can when not in use.